American Association of the Deaf-Blind

• January 2012

Committee Chair: Elizabeth Spiers

We sent out a survey to 22 SSP programs in December 2011 to ask them how they train their SSPs. So far, we have 5 responses from this initial mailing. Because of the busy holiday season, I sent another email to the other SSP programs that have not yet responded, and asked if they could answer the questions by January 25th. When we get the new information, we will compile this in a final summary which will be sent to the members and which we will use to develop our tasks for the next few months.

 

• February 2012

Committee Chair: Elizabeth Spiers

We sent out a questionnaire to 22 SSP programs around the country, gathered from a list of SSP programs provided by the Helen Keller National Center. We received 8 responses to the survey as of January 25th. The committee is now working on compiling the results. When this report is finished, we will have the survey results posted on the AADB website. The survey results will help the committee decide how to carry on with its goals and objectives. If anyone knows of an SSP program that would like to be included in the survey, please let us know and we will follow up.

• March 2012

Committee Chair: Elizabeth Spiers

The SSP committee received 11 responses from a survey sent out to 23 SSP programs around the country. The committee asked a series of approximately 15 questions related to how SSPs were trained and certified. This report is available at:

 

http://www.aadb.org/information/ssp/ssp_survey_2012.html

Committee members have been getting an increasing number of questions from people on how to get funding for SSP services and how to set them up.

 

• April 2012

Committee Chair: Elizabeth Spiers

Committee members have been getting some inquiries from members who are asking about legislation that helped to set up SSP services and other services for deaf-blind individuals. We have contacted people from SSP programs and different government agencies that are involved in legislative activities. Currently, we are waiting for more information. If anyone has information on how SSP services were set up in his or her region, please let Elizabeth Spiers know at elizabethaadb@aol.com. This information would be very helpful for those who are trying to set up services or get funding for services for deaf-blind people.

 

• May 2012

Submitted by: Elizabeth Spiers

~No Report this month.~

 

• September 2011

Committee Chair: Elizabeth Spiers

~No report submitted by chair.~

• October 2011

Submitted by: Elizabeth Spiers

Currently, we have several members working on the committee. Some are experienced SSPs, some are beginning SSPs, and some are deaf-blind people who use SSPs. The committee has been working on goals and objectives, listed below. The next step we will take is to survey SSP programs around the country to identify how they train their SSPs and what they include in their curricula.

Mission
Provide a mechanism for standard training and certification of support service providers.

Short Term Goals
- Educate the public about the roles and responsibilities of SSPs, as well as the need for SSPs as a service, so they can begin to be recognized as a profession.
- Collect information on SSP training and curricula from SSP programs around the country to see how SSP programs are training SSPs.
- Collect data and report the outcomes of various SSP trainings.
- Examine curricula used by SSP programs to see if any could be used as a master curriculum (with or without modifications).
- Identify needed modifications (if any). Examples may include deaf-blind people with other disabilities, wheelchair users, deaf-blind people who don't sign, people who use service animals or personal assistants.
- Identify SSPs and provide a list of available SSPs for board meetings and events.
- Provide SSPs for board members and events.

Intermediate Goals
- Identify deaf-blind events around the country where deaf-blind people use SSPs through newsletters, e-news, listservs or other media.
- Identify trainer for SSPs.
- Collect data from training sites and instructors.
- Set up at least one training for SSPs who are working at a deaf-blind event or conference.
- Identify funds and scholarships for SSP trainings; consider providing continuing education unit credits for SSPs as an incentive.

Long Term Goals
Provide a standard certification and training process for SSPs through AADB so they can begin to be recognized as a profession.

- Define SSP responsibilities using standard curriculum or training
- Use standard SSP curriculum with continuing education credits.
- Set up temporary listing of approved SSP trainers

• November 2011

Submitted by: Elizabeth Spiers

 

During October, the SSP committee developed a short survey which will be sent to SSP programs around the country. The survey includes questions on what type of training is provided, what's involved in the training, who provides the training, how many SSPs are trained, how SSPs can continue their training afterwards (e.g, from mentor SSPs), and how the training is funded. This survey will go out to SSP programs in November.

 

Also, the committee is responsible for providing SSP and interpreter support to the AADB board members for board meetings. Marilyn Fernandez-Trader is responsible for this project.

• December 2011

Submitted by: Elizabeth Spiers

 

The SSP committee sent out a questionnaire, which was developed last month, to 23 SSP programs around the country. The questionnaire included such questions as how SSPs are recruited and trained, how many hours of training SSPs receive, what training is provided, how each program is funded, and what follow up training is included, if any. Because of the holidays, the questionnaire was sent out in late November, and we asked each SSP program to send a response by mid-December. So far, we have three responses. When we have received all the responses, we will provide a brief summary of the results.

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